The Noxen School and Community Center, completed in 1897,
was named
to the Federal Registry of Historic places in 2006. Opened as a high school in 1902,
the school closed its doors in 1976,
and the building stood unused until 1999, when community members set up the Schenck
Memorial Library inside. In 2001, Noxen residents officially voted
to save the structure amidst an ongoing restoration program. The Noxen Historical Community Association became involved in
efforts to fully restore the building in 2002. The efforts paid off.
The building is not only a library and community center, but it has also
hosts meetings, dances, reunions, art lessons, and other events.

The facility even served as an evacuation
center in June, 2006 when many Noxen residences were damaged by heavy
rains.

Volunteers are working to ensure that
the building remains in good repair. Click here to
see photos taken in April, 2009 as new stone steps were added to the
front of the building. For
more information on what you can do to help, call 570-298-2211. Donations to the Noxen Historical Community Association are always welcome and can be mailed to:
P.O. Box 141, Noxen, PA 18636.

Several articles outlining restoration initiatives
in Noxen have appeared in local papers.
Click here to view them.

The Noxen Community Center has
seen
some improvement over the last few years.
The photo above was taken in 2001.

The Library

With over 10,000 books available, the
library is increasing its inventory all the time. The VHS and DVD
collection is also growing, so you can check out great movies while
you're there. In addition to lending books and movies, the library
also performs other community services, for example the
Clothes Closet, where you can shop for second-hand clothes at great
savings! Hours change seasonally. Be sure to call for more
information.

The Schenck Memorial
Library is a very popular spot for Noxen residents, especially on
Noxen Day!

At right, a
toddler enjoys homemade ice cream, which you can find almost every
year being made fresh on the shaded lawn in front of the building.

Be sure to visit the library
year-round, for great books, clothes, and stories for the kids!

The
Clothes Closet

Volunteers at the Noxen Library realize
that while some people have more outfits than they could possibly ever
wear, others have trouble acquiring good, quality clothing at a reasonable
price. Even those who can afford to shop at all the best stores
sometimes prefer to buy gently-used clothing and save their cash for
greater priorities, while others simply love the thrill of finding a
bargain.

For that reason, volunteers at the library opened the
Clothes Closet, allowing community members to donate their clothing for
others to purchase at discounted prices. The service is available
during regular library hours and is located on the top floor of the Schenck Memorial Library.

Hall Rental

If you're looking for a place to host your next event, consider the Noxen
School and Community Center. Whether you're throwing a baby shower or a birthday party, the "Old School"
offers a smoke-and alcohol-free environment for your group to gather! Cost is $80 ($40 if you're a
resident of Noxen). Reservations require a $50 deposit which will be returned after the event
(provided the space is clean and undamaged). Bookings require two weeks notice. Call Cathie
Pauley, Noxen Historical Association President and building manager, at 570-298-2052.

Restoration and Repair

As part of the ongoing
building restoration and renovation, new concrete steps were added to the
front of the building in April, 2009. At left, members and volunteers
of the NHCA pose in front of the site of the new steps. At right, a
crane lowers the heavy concrete steps into place.

"Before" photos

These photos of the back and side of the Noxen
School, circa 1995, were provided by Lorraine Brelsford.

The photo above, also provided courtesy of
Lorraine Brelsford, shows a group of students in the 1920's (before the
addition of the fire escape) along the side of the school in what could be a
Thanksgiving celebration.

Noxen area community
members were treated to a Patriotic Musical Program on Sunday, November
7th. Members of four area vocal organizations, accompanied by pianist
Emily Steltz, gathered at the Noxen Community Center (old Noxen School)
to provide a free concert of patriotic songs and hymns in honor of
Veterans Day.

The Noxen Community
Volunteer Chorus, Maple Grove United Methodist Church Choir, St. Luke's
Lutheran Church Choir and the Community Youth Choir performed
America The Beautiful, This Land is Your Land, Battle Hymn of the
Republic, and God Bless the U.S.A . among many other
pieces. The performance also included several vocal solos and a flute
solo.

The evening was followed by a reception featuring cookies favored by
former political figures, including James Buchanan's Snickerdoodles and
Andrew Jackson's Hedgehog cookies.